Abstract: A method for recovering blood from a blood-laden surgical sponge for autologous reinfusion, the method comprising the steps of: conveying negative pressure to a housing with the blood-laden surgical sponge; applying a predetermined force to draw the blood from the surgical sponge; and collecting the recovered blood.

Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: An insertion handle for medical implants includes a handle with an elongate shaft extending therefrom and connection means for the implant disposed at the end of the shaft opposite the handle. The connection means includes a pivotable attachment for the implant that is controlled remotely from the handle. Both angle of the implant with respect to the handle and shaft as well as the attachment may be separately controlled and adjusted. Remote angular adjustment facilitates insertion of implants in to small surgical sites because the orientation of the implant may be repeatedly, remotely adjusted as the implant is inserted. Connectors may also be provided at the engagement surface between the handle and implant in order to provide communication with the implant or surgical site. The connectors also may serve as torque bearing members to avoid the need for separate torque bearing means such as keyways and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a refracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system having a plurality of linked locking elements that work in unison to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: A system for rapid manipulation and cutting that includes a housing, a first cutting element, and a drive mechanism adapted to be mounted at least partly within the housing and connected to the first cutting element for imparting relative motion to the first cutting element as a combination of slicing and downward forces at the portion of the first cutting element which is adapted to contact the tissue.

Abstract: Pen injection devices (10) and methods of using a pen injection device are disclosed. Pen injection devices include a sterile dual transfer spike assembly (150) including a dual transfer spike defining a fluidic pathway; a first cartridge assembly (12) including a first cartridge (20) containing a first substance; a second cartridge assembly (14) including a second cartridge (30) containing a second substance; a plunger rod (50) translatable in a first direction; and a biasing mechanism (60) configured to bias the plunger rod in a second direction opposite the first direction. Methods of using a pen injection device having a first container, a second container, a plunger rod, and a biasing mechanism include activating the pen injection device, thereby creating a fluidic pathway between the first container and the second container; and translating the plunger rod at least once, thereby transferring a first substance from one container to the other container to mix with a second substance.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for rapid placement of tubes within a body cavity that includes placing a compliant cannula over a probe tip of a cutting device until the probe tip extends beyond the cannula, incising the tissue covering body cavity to create an opening therein, inserting the probe tip of the cutting device until the cannula placed thereon extends into the incision, removing the probe tip while leaving the cannula inserted within the incision, introducing a distal end or tip of a tube into the cannula a predetermined distance, and removing the cannula over the tube while retaining the tube in position within the body cavity. The device includes a sealing portion which attaches to the body without sutures and having an opening therethrough, and a tube which passes through the opening of the seal and mates thereto without sutures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Abstract: An intraluminal, balloon expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The present invention provides a lumen support stent with an unobstructed through-lumen for use in a blood vessel. A constraining mechanism is provided for securely maintaining the stent in the collapsed condition during delivery. The stent is preferably formed with a series of interconnected slide and lock mechanisms for permitting movement from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition and inhibiting radial recoil from the expanded condition. The stent may be formed from a shape memory alloy for providing crush-recovery after deployment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly comprising a male luer end portion and a female luer end portion and a passage for the transfer of fluids extending between the male and female luer end portions, valve means movable between a first position, in which the passage is closed, and a second position, in which the passage is open, biasing means for biasing the valve means toward the first position, and actuating means extending into the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means to actuate the valve means when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is engaged with the male luer end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for attaching an ornamental feature to flesh plugs, flesh tubes, flesh piecing posts and rings, and other piecing jewelry.

Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for restoring or establishing nutrient flow to the nucleus pulposa. An implant comprises a nutrient flow path for extending between a source of nutrients and the nucleus pulposa. The implant is positioned within the patient such that a first end is in nutrient flow communication with a subject nucleus pulposa, and the source end is positioned in nutrient flow communication with a source of nutrients.

Abstract: A medical delivery device comprising an elongate body having a plunger slidably and sealingly engaged to form a cavity to receive fluid materials and a first outlet disposed at an end of said body and has a male luer end portion and a valve assembly is disposed within the first outlet. The valve assembly has a valve means movable between an open position and a closed position and biasing means for biasing the valve means to a closed position. Actuating means are disposed within the male luer end portion and coupled to the valve means such that the valve means is movable to an open position when a female luer end portion of a medical accessory is coupled with the male luer end portion. A second outlet is disposed at the same end as the first outlet for controlling the exchange of gases from the environment to said cavity under the action of the plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a delivery device for controllably delivering a prosthetic bulking device below a tissue surface such as below the mucosa to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The delivery device may be embodied in a deployment catheter, an endoscope, or an endoscope attachment. The bulking device may additionally be explanted from beneath the mucosa. In one embodiment, the bulking device comprises a hydrogel.

Abstract: An improved articulating device for use with a medical insertion instrument comprising in part a first tube having a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bending segments, a second tube axially disposed within the first tube, and means for transmitting an axial deflecting pull load. Such device has improved controlled for positioning an end of the device at a selected position within the body. The articulating device has a generally constant moment of inertia and a polar moment of inertia that generally decreases from its proximal to distal end.